The View From Here

In my religion

lizards are secret people

hide faces as wise as sages inside

leathery, toothy snouts. they will only tell you their secrets

the future

if you ply them with crickets swimming in milk

a good scratch behind the head

a warm place to sleep.

In my dreams

everything makes sense, falls into place

all of the things I’ve done that seem pointless

are suddenly full of purpose and point:

hours spent petting my dog

loving my children

hours clocked beneath my husband

all of these things mean I am a good wife and I

am good at my job. But these are just dreams

and even prayers to anoles and chameleons

won’t make them come true.